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Schundler, McGreevey clash in first television debate
Originally appeared in the Associated Press on 10/10/01 9:23 PM Issues and remarks on topics over which the candidates
for governor, Republican Bret Schundler and Democratic
Jim McGreevey, had some of the sharpest differences
during their televised debate Wednesday in Newark.
Education
McGreevey: "I am determined that we boost third grade
literacy standards. Everything indicates that if we lose that
child at third grade, we are never going to get him or her
back."
Schundler: "I have always talked about trying to have
parental accountability because parents love their children,
they are not worried about keeping some organized
interest group happy so they can get its endorsement for
the next election."
Abortion
Schundler: "I will not only teach our children in school
about contraception, as they are learning now, but I will
also stress abstinence. ... I will also try to end partial birth
abortion where when a baby is already outside a mother's
womb its life is ended."
McGreevey: "I would sign a law immediately that would
ban post viability abortions of fetuses. ... But I also want to
be clear that I believe choice is fundamentally a personal
decision. It is a decision that I shouldn't make for a
woman, it is a decision that the state or Mr. Schundler
shouldn't make for a woman."
One Another
Schundler: "This man is worse than Jim Florio. You will
have the highest taxes in America. It will hurt us."
McGreevey: "I think he has the wrong values, whether on
choice, on concealed weapons, or dismantling public
education."
New York's Ban on Cell Phones in Cars
McGreevey: "I believe New Jersey should not allow hand
held phones (in cars). If it is in the dashboard, if it is
speaker, it's OK, but I have seen too many accidents."
Schundler: "I just as soon take some time to see what
actually happens from their experience, to see if accidents
go down. We don't have to be the first state to do
everything."
Concealed Handgun Permits
McGreevey: "Mr. Schundler during the Republican primary
made a deal with the gun lobby. He said if a bill came to
his desk permitting individuals to carry concealed
weapons, he would sign it. ... Bret, you can run but you
can't hide."
Schundler: "I support New Jersey's gun laws. I have said
time and again I would not support changing them. ... I was
asked specifically in that television program whether I
support certain exemptions. I do. Those exemptions exist
in current law, and Jim McGreevey voted for them in 1990,
so what a hypocrite."
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